Many lobbyists win seats but some see majority decreased

One of the most successful candidates from the lobbying world was Aviva head of public affairs Tracey Crouch, who became Conservative MP for Chatham & Aylesford on a substantial 11 per cent swing from Labour.

Another impressive performance was put in by ex-Hanover associate Penny Mordaunt, the Tory candidate in Portsmouth North. Mordaunt took the seat on an 8.5 per cent swing from Labour.

Other Tory candidates to achieve swings in their party's direction were Finsbury Group partner Robin Walker in Worcester (6.5 per swing from Labour), ex-Portland ass­ociate partner George Eustice in Camborne and Red­ruth (five per cent per swing from the Liberal Democrats) and ex-PLMR associate director Conor Burns in Bournemouth West (three per cent swing from the Lib Dems).

Other well-known Tory candidates with lobbying backgrounds suffered swings against their party - but were still successful.

Weber Shandwick dir­ector Priti Patel won Witham with a convincing majority despite a one per cent swing to the Lib Dems. Lexington Communications dir­ector Damian Collins took Folkestone and Hythe for the Tories but was hit by a 2.5 per cent swing to the Lib Dems.

Given the woes of the Lab­our Party, it was a tall order for any of its candidates to inc­rease the party's share of the vote - and few did. Scout Association head of public aff­airs Stella Creasy was elected MP for Walthamstow with a minimal 0.04 per cent swing to the Lib Dems, while former EDS lobbyist Mike Dugher took Barnsley East despite a huge 14 per cent swing to the Lib Dems.

Other lobbyists will remain in their day jobs after being def­eated at the polls. They inc­lude Curtin & Co consultant Antony Calvert (Con), Citigate Public Policy MD Simon Nayyar (Con), TLG co-founder Nick Bent (Lab) and Connect Communications consultant Andrew Pakes (Lab).

For the Lib Dems, Weber Shandwick director Tamora Langley and Macmillan Cancer Support head of public affairs Mike Hobday both suffered defeat at the polls.